Ah, urban sustainability. The two words that sound like they belong on the lips of TED Talk speakers and environmentalists who carry reusable water bottles everywhere, even to weddings. But here’s the kicker: former President Donald J. Trump and urban sustainability? That’s a pairing as unexpected as pineapple on pizza. Love it or hate it, we’re here to unpack Trump’s take on urban sustainability, or, at least, what we can infer from his time in office, public statements, and the occasional tweet storm.
First, Let’s Set the Scene
Urban sustainability is all about making cities greener, cleaner, and more livable. Think bike lanes, solar-powered buildings, community gardens, and people sipping organic kale smoothies while their electric scooters hum gently by. It’s about finding that perfect balance between development and the environment. But when it comes to Trump’s approach? Let’s just say his sustainability playbook is more “build it bigger and shinier” than “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
The Trump Tower Approach to Sustainability
You can’t talk about Trump without mentioning real estate. The man loves his skyscrapers. If urban sustainability were measured by how gold-plated and ostentatious your buildings are, Trump would be the Greta Thunberg of bling. Trump Tower, for instance, boasts a waterfall, an unnecessary but undeniably fabulous touch. Sustainable? Eh, debatable. But hey, water features are calming, right?
During his presidency, Trump was less about green cities and more about “beautiful, clean coal.” Yes, you read that correctly. Coal. Clean. Beautiful. To the surprise of exactly zero people, this stance didn’t exactly align with the urban sustainability goals of promoting renewable energy and cutting emissions.
Let’s Talk Climate Agreements (or Exits)
If urban sustainability had a cheerleader, it’d be the Paris Climate Agreement. Cities worldwide use this framework to guide their sustainability efforts. But Trump? He ghosted the Paris Agreement faster than a bad Tinder date. In 2017, he announced the U.S. withdrawal, claiming it was a bad deal for America and, presumably, for coal enthusiasts everywhere.
This move sent a clear message: Trump wasn’t here to prioritize sustainability. Instead, he doubled down on deregulation, loosening environmental rules, and emphasizing economic growth over ecological concerns. For urban planners dreaming of green skyscrapers and zero-carbon footprints, it was like getting coal in your Christmas stocking, literally.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Trump’s administration rolled back over 100 environmental regulations, arguing that red tape was choking the economy. In his view, less regulation meant more jobs, more growth, and more freedom to build, baby, build. But for urban sustainability advocates, these rollbacks were like watching someone knock over a Jenga tower you’d been carefully assembling.
Take the rollback of vehicle emissions standards, for example. Cities aiming for greener transportation systems rely on strict emissions rules to push automakers toward electric and hybrid vehicles. But Trump? He saw those rules and said, “Nah, let’s make gas-guzzling great again.”
Infrastructure Week… and the Wall
Let’s not forget Trump’s infamous “Infrastructure Week”, which became more of a running joke than an actual policy initiative. While urban sustainability advocates hoped for investments in public transit, green spaces, and renewable energy, Trump’s infrastructure dreams seemed more focused on, well, walls. Big, beautiful walls. And while walls might be sustainable in the sense that they don’t require much upkeep, they’re not exactly the pinnacle of urban planning.
The Satirical Bright Side
But wait! Let’s give credit where it’s due. Trump’s presidency did inadvertently boost urban sustainability efforts, just not in the way you’d expect. Cities and states across the U.S. doubled down on their green initiatives in response to federal rollbacks. It’s like when your parents tell you not to get a tattoo, and you immediately book an appointment for the biggest one you can find. From Los Angeles to New York, urban planners took Trump’s inaction as a call to action.
Wrapping It Up with a Gold-Plated Bow
So, what is Trump’s stance on urban sustainability? It’s complicated, and often contradictory. While his policies leaned heavily toward deregulation and economic growth over environmental protection, his actions spurred a wave of grassroots sustainability efforts in cities across the nation. In a roundabout way, Trump became an unlikely catalyst for urban sustainability, proving that even the most unexpected players can influence the game.
In true Trump fashion, we’ll leave you with a closing thought: Urban sustainability is huge. Tremendous, even. And while Trump’s approach may not have been what eco-warriors hoped for, it’s undeniable that his presidency got people talking, planning, and, perhaps most importantly, tweeting about the future of our cities.
